MINOR LEAGUE NOTES: Percentage of black players drafted on the rise

David Borges, Register Staff

Published 12:00 am, Saturday, June 8, 2013

Photo: AP

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Britain's Prince Harry hits a ball pitched to him by New York Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira, left, during a visit to Harlem RBI's baseball program in New York, Tuesday, May 14, 2013, to launch a partnership between the organization, the Royal Foundation of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, and Prince Harry. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens) less

Britain's Prince Harry hits a ball pitched to him by New York Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira, left, during a visit to Harlem RBI's baseball program in New York, Tuesday, May 14, 2013, to launch a ... more

Photo: AP

MINOR LEAGUE NOTES: Percentage of black players drafted on the rise

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While baseball draftniks debate which teams were winners or losers in this week's First-Year Player Draft, the sport itself was a winner on one particular front.

Of the first 73 picks in the first two rounds, 13 were African-American, including six first-rounders. Why is this significant? Well, baseball has seen its representation among blacks dwindle over the past few decades. In 1975, 27 percent of major-leaguers were African-American. On Opening Day this year, that number was about 8.5 percent.

But things appear to be on the uptick, proof that MLB initiatives like Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities (RBI) and its Urban Youth Academy (UYA) are working. Last year, there were seven black players selected in the first round, meaning about 20 percent of first-rounders from the last two drafts were African-American.

Dominic Smith, who played in the RBI program in Compton, Calif., was the Mets' first-round selection and No. 11 overall.

"They mean a ton," Smith told MLB.com of UYA and RBI. "They exposed me to so much baseball and got me to this point. Without them, I wouldn't even be here."

THE M&M&M BOYS

One potential future UConn baseball player and one now-former Husky were the two top Connecticut products taken in this year's draft.

Milone, the Masuk two-sport star who has committed to UConn, was taken in the third round (97th overall pick) by Tampa Bay. L.J. Mazzilli of Greenwich, who just completed a stellar career with the Huskies, was taken in the fourth round (116th overall) by the Mets.

Meanwhile, Sacred Heart senior shortstop John Murphy of Seymour was taken by the Yankees in the sixth round.

Milone now has a decision to make: go pro, or play for at least the next three seasons at UConn. The recommended slot value of where Milone was picked is $530,600. But the Rays have $6,694,900 to spread over their draft picks, meaning they could offer a higher signing bonus for Milone.

Mazzilli's slot value is $442,000, and since his college career is over, he doesn't have a whole lot of leverage to negotiate a higher bonus. It probably doesn't matter, as he'll make considerably more than he would have as a ninth-round pick by the Twins last year and now gets a chance to play for his father Lee's old team.

The assigned pick value for Murphy is $208,300.

The deadline for draftees to sign with their teams is July 12.

HALL OF FAME PICKS

The Baseball Hall of Fame this week noted that, of the tens of thousands of players drafted over the past 48 years, only 24 who were signed by the team that drafted them have gone on to earn a place in Cooperstown.

Barry Larkin, who was taken by the Reds with the fourth overall pick in 1985, is the most recent. Ken Griffey Jr., who will become eligible in 2016, would almost certainly be the next. Reggie Jackson, drafted No. 2 by the A's in 1966, is the highest draftee ever to be enshrined in Cooperstown.

Here's the list of drafted players who were eventually elected to the Hall of Fame, along with the team that drafted them, the year and where they were selected:

The accolades keep piling up for George Springer. The New Britain product and former UConn star was named the Texas League Player of the Week from May 27-June 2 after going 12-for-30 with four doubles, four homers, 12 RBIs and eight runs scored for the Corpus Christi Hooks (Houston's Double-A affiliate).

Through early last week, Springer was leading the league in homers (17), RBIs (47), runs (46), slugging (.640) and OPS (1.057). The 11th overall pick in the 2011 draft, Springer could soon be heading to Triple-A Oklahoma City -- or even to the Astros.

MIZENKO AN ALL-STAR

Wallingford's Tyler Mizenko has been selected to the South Atlantic League All-Star team. Mizenko boasts a 1.74 ERA with four saves in 10 relief appearances for the Augusta Greenjackets, Single-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants. Opponents are hitting a mere .158 against the right-hander.

BIG IN GERMANY

Harry Glynne of Hamden is in his second season of playing professionally in Germany. He also pitches for the German National Team, which is currently playing in the European Cup. This past week, Glynne, a CCSU product, struck out nine batters in a 2-0 win over a team from the Czech Republic.

VOTE FOR EASTERN LEAGUE ALL-STARS

The Eastern League All-Star Game is being hosted by the Rock Cats at New Britain Stadium on July 10. Fans will be able to vote for players over the next three weeks, both at the stadium and online.

An all-star ballot box has been installed inside the stadium's main gates. Paper ballots will be available at the fan courtesy desk on the stadium's main concourse, as well as upon request from Rock Cats staff situated throughout the ballpark.